Philosophical and Pedagogic Views of B. N. Chicherin

Abstract

The paper analyses B. N. Chicherin’s views on the individual, society, and their interaction. The emphasis is made on two opposite social trends — aspiration towards solidarity and individualization. Because of his liberal beliefs, the philosopher appears to favor the latter, prioritizing individual freedom. It is worth noting that for B. Chicherin society is not something single whole, existing beyond the person. A person’s behaviour and actions are a stimulus for social development serving as a means to communicate the “world’s energy” and goals of humanity. A very special historic role B. Chicherin attributes to the state, as it affects the “collective will”, narodnost’, which is a basis for social development. Furthermore, the given paper examines the relationship between narodnost’ and humanity — the latter is a guarantee of the historical unity, meaning that nations are to internalize the products of the historical progress. B. Chicherin arrives at the conclusion that Russia is unlikely to have a unique history of its own, rather it needs to join the historical global developmental process (it is evident that the scholar confronts the Slavophile doctrine). The paper highlights that B. Chicherin applies the afore-mentioned principles to the conceptualization of the Russian history. He sees the absolute autocracy as an obsolete regime that peacefully needs to give way to the constitutional monarchy. When analyzing different forms of liberalism, the philosopher suggests that the most effective one is “protective liberalism”, since it encompasses freedom, social order and rule of law. Examining the system of education, the scholar calls for cautious and well thoughtover reforms. He acknowledges a leading role of universities in social development, believing in the importance of preserving their autonomy and increasing their academic status.